ב"ה

PURIM 5786

Halachic Digest 


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ב"ה

Halachic Digest 

פורים תשפ"ו 

Compiled by Rabbi Yoseph Vigler & Rabbi Mendel Zirkind

Edited by Rabbi Y. Zirkind ע"ה

לעילוי נשמת הרב יצחק בן הרב אליעזר צבי זאב צירקינד ז”ל

חודש אדר

  • “משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה”. We increase in joy throughout the month of Adar, because judgement was transformed into compassion .  Accordingly, we enhance joyous activities, including music and dancing, during this month. 

  • Legal matters involving non-Jews are considered especially favorable during the month of Adar, as the mazal of the Jewish people is strong at this time.. 

  • Adar is also regarded as an auspicious time for weddings..


ד' פרשיות

  • The Shabbos preceding Purim (תצוה), we read Parshas Zachor, fulfilling the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to us.

  • The following Shabbos, (כי תשא), we lain Parshas Para. 

  • On the subsequent Shabbos, Shabbos Mevorchim, we read Parshas Hachodesh.

  • There are differing customs regarding the recitation of אב הרחמים on Parshas Zachor and Parshas Parah.

  • For שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום, only the regular weekly Parsha is reviewed; the additional Parshiyos are not included.

📘If the Congregation Forgot the Extra Parsha of ד' פרשיות at Shacharis

(The following applies only where the weekly Parsha was read and the additional Parsha was omitted.)

If They Realized the Same Shabbos 

• Before Mincha Gedolah:
The Sefer Torah should be removed and the omitted Parsha read immediately
(Procedure detailed below.)

• After Mincha Gedolah, once Shacharis has concluded:
Some Poskim rule the reading may no longer be made that day.
Others permit reading it at Mincha.

Practical ruling:  It may be read, but without reciting a Bracha.

Parshas Zachor has additional considerations (see below).

May It Be Made Up the Following Shabbos? 

As a rule, no. Once the established time has passed, the reading cannot be replaced.

Many Poskim, however, write that Parshas Parah is different. Since its purpose relates to preparation for Pesach, it retains relevance the following week.

Some conclude this distinction should be followed in practice.

May a Minyan Gather Solely to Read the Extra Parsha?

If the group did not hear the weekly Parsha, they may not assemble simply to read the additional Parsha.

Special Case – Parshas Zachor

Due to its Torah-level status, some Poskim allow Parshas Zachor to be read with a Bracha if a Minyan gathers, even if they did not hear the weekly Parsha. Other authorities maintain that if Mincha 

Gedolah has already passed, it should be read without a Bracha.

If the Baal Korei Skipped a Possuk

If the omitted Possuk relates to the essential theme of that Parsha, the congregation has not fulfilled its obligation

If the verse does not affect the core subject matter, one is Yotzei.

Some Poskim maintain that even if a verse was skipped, one is Yotzei in all cases




Shabbos Zachor 

  • Hearing Parshas Zachor according to most Poskim (and Parshas Para according to some) is a Torah obligation. Every effort should be made to hear it with a Minyan. 

  • A child under bar mitzvah is not called for Maftir of Zachor, even for those who generally permit it. 

  • Men refrain from המוציא, מזונות (and alcohol) more than a K’beitza (58 grams) before hearing laining.

  • If one missed Zachor, he may have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah during the Purim laining (and according to some, later during Ki Seitzei).

  • Women and girls should attend shul, as some hold they are obligated. If unable to attend, they may read from a Chumash.. 

  • A special laining for women is subject to halachic discussion - consult a Rov. 

  • If an individual man missed Zachor, a Sefer Torah may be taken out for him (without a bracha), since his chiyuv is definitely דאורייתא.

  • If no minyan is available, Zachor should at least be read from a Chumash (or Sefer Torah) with the trop.

  • Have explicit intent to fulfill the mitzvah of remembering Amalek(, Since מצוות צריכות כוונה).

  • A Megillah is not muktzah on Shabbos for practice laining.

  • On Motzei Shabbos we say ויהי נועם and ואתה קדוש.

  • Kiddush Levana.




Monday, 13 Adar, תענית אסתר 

Beginning of the Fast

  • Taanis Esther commemorates 

    • The day the Jews fasted and davened to Hashem when they defended themselves from their enemies. 

    • The 3 days Esther and the Jews of Shushan fasted during the month of Nissan for the success of Esther before King Achashverosh.

  • After going to sleep the night of the Taanis, even if you wake up in the middle of the night, you may not eat (but you may drink) - unless you stipulated beforehand or if you are always accustomed to wake up and eat.

  • Even if one didn’t go to sleep yet, it is forbidden to start eating המוציא or מזונות or alcoholic beverages (more than a Kebitza) from a half hour before Alos. 

  • However, if one did eat after waking up, bedieved, as long as it is still before Alos, one still recites Anenu

  • Fast begins: 5:03am (NYC)

  • No brushing teeth / mouthwash, (unless one is very sensitive, and he should be careful not to swallow).




Who does not fast?

  • Ill individuals, Postpartum (within 30 days), pregnant or nursing women, and Chosson/Kallah during Sheva Berachos - need not fast.

  • If there is a bris, the father of the boy, the mohel and the Sandak, can eat after the bris.  Some recommend waiting to have the seudah after reading the Megillah (after the fast).

  • Children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah need not fast. From age nine upwards, the minhag is to train children to fast partially, as per the child’s abilities. [But no need to be too strict on this.] 

  • There are leniencies for those who find fasting difficult. A Rov should be consulted. 

  • One who can, should fast, in order not to be Porash Min Hatzibur.  

  • Those exempt should not eat for pleasure (e.g. meat, wine, nosh).



Shacharis

  • Slichos are said even by those who are not fasting.

  • The chazan says Anenu as a Bracha on its own before Refa’enu .


 If he forgot to say Anenu: 

  • if he remembered before reciting Hashem’s name at the end of Refa’enu, he recites Aneinu immediately, and then repeats the Bracha of Refa’enu; 

  • if he remembered after concluding the Bracha of Refa’enu, he recites Aneinu in the Bracha of Shema Koleinu, ending the Bracha with a double conclusion, i.e. Ha’one B’eis Tzara V’shomea Tefillah

  • if he remembered after he already concluded the Bracha of Shema Koleinu, he recites Aneinu as a separate Bracha immediately after the Bracha of Sim Shalom.



מחצית השקל

  • Given before Mincha. 

  • The Gabbaim prepare 3 half shekel (half dollar) coins.

  • Some use half-dollar coins containing 9.6 grams of pure silver. 

  • Ideally, one should give the current value of the silver - (approximately $10 for 9 grams although the amount fluctuates).

  • If silver half-dollar coins are unavailable, regular half-dollar coins may be used.

  • If half-dollars are not available, three one-dollar coins (or bills) may be substituted. 

  • Some prioritize giving the funds to the poor, especially talmidei chachamim. Others give it to a Beis Medrash, a “miniature Beis HaMikdash,” thereby echoing the original Machatzis Hashekel.

  • Since Haman offered ten thousand silver coins to Achashverosh in order to destroy the Jewish people, we symbolically counter his act by giving coins to tzedakah.

  • We give three half-shekels, corresponding to: (a) The three times the word “Terumah” appears in the Possuk. (b) The three days that Esther and the Jewish people fasted.

  • Those above age twenty are obligated to give; Preferably  begin from bar mitzvah. 

  • Some authorities obligate women as well; the custom is that the husband gives on his wife’s behalf..

  • The prevalent custom is for a father to give 3 coins for each child. Some give only for sons; others include daughters. If his wife is pregnant, it is customary to give on behalf of the unborn child as well. 

  • It is best to educate kids to give Machatzis Hashekel from their own money.

  • If a father began giving on behalf of a child without stipulating otherwise, he must continue each year. If he stops at any point, the child is obligated to begin giving independently. 

  • The minimum amount of Machatzis Hashekel should not be taken from Ma’aser funds..



Mincha

  • The parsha of ויחל is read. 

  • Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu are omitted.

  • Aneinu is recited in Shema Koleinu.

  • Anyone not fasting for whatever reason does not say Anenu.

  • If you forget to say Anenu, you say it after "אלוקי נצור", before the second "יהיו לרצון". If you forgot totally, you don’t go back and repeat Shmoneh Esrei. 

  • You should only accept an aliya if you are fasting. 



Fast ends: 6:16pm (NYC)

  • Even those who find fasting difficult should ideally fast until after the night Megillah reading. In cases of significant difficulty, limited leniencies (such as small snacks of fruit or beverages) may be relied upon.


Earliest and latest times for night Megillah reading

  • In extreme cases (e.g. when laining for someone who is ill,) one may lain, (with the brachos,) 4 minutes after sunset (5:52pm - NYC).

  • In absolute necessity one may lain, (with the brochos,) from plag hamincha (4:41pm - NYC).

  • This only applies where there is no choice. Therefore, anyone who is able to, should hear the megillah again at the proper time.

  • The Megillah may be read until Alos (5:01am - NYC).



Purim

Dressing up

  • Yom Tov clothing should be worn on Purim.

  • Children are encouraged to get into the spirit of Purim by dressing up in costumes. 

  • Dressing up as, or portraying, Haman is not appropriate for chinuch..

  • Cross-dressing should be avoided, notwithstanding the existence of lenient opinions.

  • Care should be taken to ensure that costumes do not contain shatnez, particularly certain hats or military-style garments originating from Eastern Europe..



ועל הניסים

  • Added in Shemoneh Esrei and Bentching..

  • Do not lechatchila skip Ve’al hanissim to catch up to answer Kedusha or Modim.


  • If you forgot ועל הניסים:

    • If you remembered before Hashem’s name in the bracha הטוב שמך ולך נאה להודות, go back. 

    • If you already said Hashem’s Name, do not go back. But before the second יהיו לרצון add the following: "הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים ונפלאות כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה". And then continue “בימי מרדכי...”

    • Likewise in bentching, if you forgot ועל הניסים – if you remembered before saying “Hashem” in the bracha על הארץ ועל המזון, go back. If not, then before הרחמן הוא יזכנו, add the following: "הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים ונפלאות כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה". And then continue “בימי מרדכי...”

    • If completely omitted — do not repeat.. 



Megillah laining 

  • If one has not yet given מחצית השקל, it may still be given before the night reading or before the day reading. 

  • Before reading the Megillah, three brochos are recited: על מקרא מגילה, שעשה ניסים, שהחיינו.

  • The megillah should be opened and folded like a scroll (איגרת) to remind us of the miracle. 

  • The בעל קורא should read standing. If necessary, he may lean, and the tzibbur may be מוחל their honor and allow him to sit. When reading for individuals, he may sit, but the brachos must be recited standing.

  • Listeners should stand for the brachos and answer Amen (not Baruch Hu u’varuch Shemo - when being יוצא).

  • The Megillah must be read with proper trop and precision. An error that changes the meaning invalidates the Kriah. Care must be taken with קרי וכתיב and those that are read twice with variations.

  • The entire megillah must be heard. If even one word was missed, one must hear the Kriah again from the part that he missed. Therefore, if one misses a word, it must be read immediately - from a kosher Megillah, printed text, or by heart - until one catches up (and continues listening). 

  • One should follow along in a Megillah, (so that if he misses a word he can catch up), However he should not verbalize the words. (If using a kosher Megillah, one may read softly, provided it does not disturb others.).

  • No microphone, phone, radio, or Zoom. Hearing aids require consulting a Rav.

  • If a פסול is discovered, the Kriah may continue בדיעבד so long as the majority remains kosher.


  • If one who already heard the Megillah is reading for others, preferably a listener should recite the brachos, changing the first Bracha to לשמוע מקרא מגילה (and have in mind anybody else there). 

  • If a man is laining for a group of women, it is preferable that a woman recite the brachos, having the others in mind, also saying לשמוע מקרא מגילה. (Some hold that each one should say their own bracha).

  • It is customary to make noise at Haman’s name. Some make noise every time his name is mentioned, while others only do so only when it’s mentioned with a title (e.g. בן המדתא, המן הרע).

  • After the laining the chazan says the bracha הרב את ריבנו. Some roll the Megillah before or during the bracha; others say the Bracha first. We then say שושנת יעקב and ואתה קדוש followed by kaddish without תתקבל and Alenu.

  • The Megillah should ideally be read with a minyan. If not, it may be read for individuals; however, הרב את ריבנו is recited only with a minyan.



Seudah by night

  • There is no obligation, but it is proper to have a modest seudah with a set table and lit candles..

  • Some avoid meat tonight.

  • Some eat on Purim food made from seeds, in remembrance of Esther who ate seeds in the palace, to avoid having to eat Treif food.



Laining by day

  • From sunrise (6:26am) until sunset (5:49pm). If starting to lain before sunset in a way that part of it will definitely be read after sunset, do not make a bracha before nor after. 

  • Do not eat before the Megillah reading. In case of need, one may eat other foods, but not bread, mezonos, or alcoholic beverages in an amount exceeding a k’beitza.

  • When the Baal Koreh recites the bracha of שהחיינו before the Megillah, everyone should have in mind that this שהחיינו applies to all four mitzvos of Purim: Megillah, Seudah, Mishloach Manos, and Matanos La’Evyonim.

  • Customs vary as to whether the Sefer Torah is returned to the Aron before the Megillah reading or after ובא לציון.

  • We hear the Megillah while wearing Tefillin. 

Purim day

  • Everyone - men and women - is מחוייב in all mitzvahs of Purim. I.e. to hear the Megillah both by night and day, and משלוח מנות, מתנות לאביונים, סעודת פורים which have to be done during the daytime of Purim.

  • Encourage and help other Jews to fulfill the Mitzvos of Purim.

  • We don't do manual labor on Purim, (unless it's needed for Purim).

  • It is better not to do any business on Purim, but if you need to you could, since it makes you happy. But be careful not to get engrossed in it and forget about Purim.

  • A goy may work for you on Purim

  • Haircuts and cutting nails should preferably not be done on Purim. But if you davka want to do it on Purim you may, since if it is for the sake of Purim and adds to the simcha of the day



משלוח מנות

  • There are two primary reasons for Shalach Manos –

  1. To ensure that everyone has everything they need for Purim. We give to wealthy people too, so that there is no embarrassment involved 

  2. To prove we are one, באחדות , contrary to Haman’s accusation that we are divided

  • You give two foods (at least a כזית each) or a food and drink (at least a רביעית) ready to eat, to at least one person (according to some, who is over Bar/Bas Mitzvah). 

  • It is best to give (to at least one person) a sizeable Shalach Manos, that contains food (at least) the size of 3 Kebeitza (172 gram).

  • There is no limit to how many people one may give to.

  • Men should only give to men and women to women. 

  • A husband and wife, are each obligated to give Shalach Manos and Matanos L'evyonim.

  • Shalach manos must be given on Purim day. (It’s questionable if one is יוצא if sent before and arrives on Purim).

  • Ideally, one should use a שליח for his shalach manos, so that it is regarded as sending (Mishloach means sending). Your Shliach who takes the shalach manos can even be a child. However using a שליח is not מעכב.

  • Some say that you are not Yotze the mitzvah of Shalach Manos if you are giving it in return for a favor once received. You should at least give to one person purely for the sake of the mitzvah.

  • If you send along the Shalach Manos in a new plate or other dish, the obligation is on the recipient to טובל it. Notify them that it needs to be Toiveled.

  • Children should be taught to fulfill the mitzvah on their own and give to other children.

  • Receiving as an Avel: You do not send to an אבל (within 12 months of a parent’s passing רח"ל or within 30 days for other relatives). But a Rov who is in avelus may receive Shalach Manos.

  • Sending as an Avel: However, the אבל  must fulfill the mitzvah of Shalach Manos by sending it to someone else. His shalach manos should not be too fancy though.



מתנות לאביונים 

  • You give to at least two poor people.

  • The minimum amount is a quarter to each poor person. It is best to give (to at least 2 poor people each) enough money with which they can buy bread the size of 3 Kebeitza (172 grams).

  • The minimal amount of Matanos L'evyonim should not be given from Maaser money.

  • Although it is a Mitzvah to send Shalach Manos to many friends, it is better to increase in Matanos l'evyonim more than Shalach Manos

  • Men may give to women and vice versa. 

  • The more you give the better. 

  • כל הפושט יד נותנים לו – Whoever stretches his hand is given money.

  • According to some, one is Yotze by giving money before Purim, if it reaches the recipient on Purim.

  • If there are no poor people around, make a Shliach to give for you, or designate the money on Purim for the poor and give it to them after purim.



Seudas Purim

  • The prevailing custom is to have the Seudah after Mincha.

  • It is proper to learn a little Torah before the Seudah.

  • The main part of Seudas Purim should be by day. At the very least, begin the Seudah before sunset. 

  • There are varying opinions if there is an obligation to eat bread (or meat) by this seudah. 

  • If meal began before sunset, say ועל הניסים in bentching unless Maariv was already davened.



עד דלא ידע

  • Simchas Purim is עד דלא ידע. One should still drink responsibly and only out of יראת שמים.

  • Purim Torah does not mean mockery or false Torah ch”v. It means dwelling on more superficial concepts that enhance the simcha.

  • Do not forget Bentching or Maariv.

  • All four mitzvos of Purim may be fulfilled until sunset, (5:49pm) or bedieved till Tzeis (6:17pm).



שושן פורים

  • No תחנון

  • We increase in festivity and Simcha

Please help Mayan Yisroel Matanos La’evyonim Fund

$180 supports a family for Purim 

www.Myef.org/donate (Enter memo: Matanos La’Evyonim)

May we merit celebrating this Purim in the Bais Hamikdash haShlishi!